278 PROGRESSIVE POULTRY CULTURE 



The following table states the average of several 

 analyses of poultry droppings. 



Fresh Manure of Fowls. 



Pounds in 100 Value 



Water 57.00 



Nitrogen 1.15 @ 15c per Ib. $ .17 



Phosphoric acid 96 @ 7c per Ib. .07 



Potash 39 @ 4^c per Ib. .02 



Poultry manure is specially valuable as a fertilizer 

 for grass and forage crops, for Indian corn, cabbage, 

 cucumbers, garden vegetables and fruit trees. 



If bone meal or phosphate rock and wood ashes are 

 also used for the crops the manuring is made complete. 



THE COMPOST HEAP 



In some convenient, secluded, well drained &pot on 

 the poultry plant a compost 'heap should be started. 

 Several loads of loam are brought to the place and a 

 foundation made by spreading the soil in a bed eight 

 inches deep, four or five feet wide and eight or ten feet 

 in length. The central portion may be slightly hollowed. 



On this mellow loam can be thrown offal, bodies of 

 fowls that die (if not of contagious disease), carcasses 

 of any animals, wastes of the household not otherwise 

 cared for, cleanings of sink drains, contents of cess 

 pools and any vegetable refuse of the garden or farm. 

 Whenever such materials are added to the compost heap 

 loam is shovelled over the same to the depth of several 

 inches. A pile of loam is kept at hand for this pur- 

 pose. 



If convenient the soapy water from the house laun- 

 dry is poured upon the compost heap weekly. 



If wood ashes are added to the heap decomposition 

 will be hastened and an ample covering of loam should 

 be kept upon the mass to absorb all odors and retain 

 the fertilizing elements. 



After a year or more the wholeheap should be shov- 

 elled over from end to end. The mass -will have be- 



